Superfired cannon



Mar. 6, 1923. 1,447,198.

' R. L. WRIGHT.

` SUPERFIRED cANNoN.

vFILED FEB.20, 1920. I 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1- Patented Mar. 6, 1923.

latent TE QE.

ROBERT LEE WRIGHT, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

SUPERFIRED CANNON.

Application led February 20, 1920. -Serial No. 360,191.

To 'ZZ whomz't may concern:

Be it known that I, Ronnn'r LEE \Vmo1rr, a citizen ot' the United States. residing at Los Angeles7 in the county of Los Angeles and State ot' California, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Superred Cannon, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to supertired cannon, gun and shell combined. a shell within a shell or a plurality ot any of same fired at any predetermined time while in flight after being tired from any gun, ril-le. cannon..lire arm or device capable of tiring same and is what might be termed a moditied form ot my invention as shown by my application #$231,849. tiled May l, 1918.

One ot the objects of the invention is to provide a gun and shell combined, the exterior part of same being made in a shape to be used as a projectile and a bore therein made in a shape to be used as a gun. lt may be made with a smooth bore. or the bore may have ritles as desired. which may be made of any caliber. size` and length. that it may be fired from any gun. rifle7 cannon, gun and torpedo combined. tire-arms, or any device capable of firing same, and after being tired as explained. the gun and shell combilled may be tired at any predetermined time while in Hight or a plurality ot same may be loaded within each other and tired one from the other in the same way as above explained, or any projectile or any kind ot' ammunition may be lired from any ol thc above mentioned as heretofore explained. in liring one from eachother.

(lne more object of the invention is to provide a shell within a shell with thc point of' each enclosed or a plurality ot same placed within each other in a suitable way to tire each from the othel' through thc point, ot each point at any preiletermined time while in flight after the same has been fired from any gun. rifle. cannon. oun and torpedo combined. tirearm or any device capable ot' tiring same. .\.ll of the heretofore mentioned may be exploded after being fired while in Hight in the same well known way as all projectiles are exploded.

YWith these and other objects in view the invention consists in the novel details ot' construction and combinations ot' parts more fully hereinafter disclosed and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings.

forming a part ot' this specitication in which like numerals designate like parts in all the, views,

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of my invention showing my gun and shell combined with the exterior part of same being made in a shape to be used as a projectile and a bore therein made in a shape to be used as a gun.

Figure 2 is the same as Fig. l showing the same loaded with a gun and shell combined and projectile in position to be tired at any predetermined time while in flight.

Fig. 3 is the same as Figs. l and i2. with a very slight change.

Fig. 4 is the same as Figs.y l, 2 and 3 with very little change. as shown and hereafter explained.

Fig. is a cross sectional view ot' the modified form of the p'oint of the gun and shell combined as shown in Figv (i.

Fig. 6 is a lol/igitudinal sectional view of the modified Jform of the point of the gun and shell coml'iined.

Fig. T listhe well known timing device and a tube wlthpowder tracing leading from the timer to the explosives to be ignited.

l is the exterior part of the gun and Shell combined showing the same prepared in a shape to be used as a projectile, and 3 shows the bore in the gun and shellcombined. shown ing` the same prepared in a shape to be used as a gun the bore ot' which mav be ritled as explained on page 1. line 1T. i.) is anv suitable kert'ed or easily breakable point .ot the gun and Shell combined made in a wav and ol' any suitable metal to break easilv-upon shock and l is the breech block ot' tbc gun and shell combined. which closes and locks the breech against movement to they rear during the instant ol' tiring ot' the gun and shell` combined. are the screw threads where the removable breech block -l is removed from the gun and shell combined. while being loaded from the breech. the same as any other gun. rifle. cannon or tirearnrs; and ti is a removable plug as shown by the screw threads T. that may be removed in order to remove the timing device S from the breech block T are the screw threads to remove the plug as stated and H is the well known ,clockwork connected to a sha l't Sl. in a way to cause the clock work'wllen the spring is wound up like anv clock to rotate the shaft 9 in a way to press the lug'r l5 on the shaft back against the lug i on the tiring pin l'. against thc spring l1 in the casing 10, andY as the shaft continues' to; rotate, the lug,r 15 on the shaftv turns ff of the lug 13 on the tiring pin allowing! the lug 13 on the firing pin 12 to escape thronf'rh the notch 14 'in the shaft 9 at which tinteA the spring 1,1 drives the firing pin 12 forward and lexplodes: the percussion cap 16. The cap 16 may be recessed in the breech block and made removable with threads itvdesired when using .the cap 16 without the cartridge casing, and when the cartridge easing is used the percussion cap is placed in the cartridge casing like all other cartridges are made. The casing,r 10 around the tiring pin may be screwed into the inner part of the breech block and made removable-or the breech block and casing may all be made in one piece as desired.

The timing device may also be removed from the breech block with screw threads' as shown by numeral 18 in Fig. :2. The casing for the cap 16 may also be made attached to the breech block inside the bore ot' the gun and shell combined as shown. 17 is the driving band around the exterior of the gun and shell combined Any gun and shell Vcombined "capable of tiring ammunition and any projectile, shell, cartridge, and ammunition desired may be fired fromv the gun and shell combined or a plurality of same at any predetermined time desired 4while in flight after the gun and shell combined has been tired t'rom cannon, gun and torpedo firearms or device capable and after being tired. asheretot'ore explained, the gun and shell combined or a vlurality of same may be exploded as shown oy numerals 22, 23 and 24 in Fig. 2; theold style cord t'use as shown by numeralll) in Figs. 2 and 3, and the well kno'wn time fnze as shown in Fig'. 7. and any other suitable timing device may be used together or in lieu oi the timing device' shown by numeral 8, either-to tire the gun and shell combined or a plurality ot' saine at any predetermined time and also t'o explodel same after the same have been tired. Any snitable nnmber ot' guns and shells combined may be loaded within each other and the inner gun and shells combined loaded with a projectile or any suitable ammunition and each fired from the other, atany predeter' mined time desired while in flight after the same has been fired from any gun, rifle, cannon. gun and torpedo combined, tirearms or device capable ot' firing same, as shown by Figure 2.

Fig. 2 is exactly like Fig. 1 and is operany gun, rifle, combined, Iand ot' tiring same Iated in every Way as Fig 1as shown by exception that Fig. 2 shows it is loaded with one gun and shell combined and the inner .gun and shell combined is loaded with a proscrew v be screwed in if desired to hold the explosive v charge 21 in position until it is desired to place tlietiming device back in position to be used. 19 is the old time well known cord fnzc that is ignited when the gun and shell combined is tired from :my gun, rifle, cannon, gun and torpedo combined, firearms, or any device capable of firing same, and the predetermined time of tiring is adjusted by the length ot' the cord fuze.v As seen by the drawingsv` when the cordfnse is ignited it burns np near the end 20 explosive charge 21 and fires the gun and shell combined and discharges the inner gun and shell combined through the point 2,011

.the outer gun and shell combined at any predetermined time desired while in Hight as heretofore explained. The point 2 on the inner gun and shell combined is made of stronger material or is not kerfed or grooved out so much as the point of th 'outer gun and shell combined in order that the point 2 on the inner gun and shell combined will break the point 2 on the outer gun and shell combined upon shock without breaking the point 2 on the inner gun and shell combined. Another View of a suitable pointl for the inner gun and shell combined is shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The time fuze 19 or a plurality ot' same as shown on the inner gun and shell combined is ignited at the time the inner gun and shell combined is discharged Jr'rom the outer gun and shell combined and crates in the same vwell knowgyay as heretofore explained and, as shownftires the inner gun and shell combined and discharges the projectile from same at any predeter* mined time desired while in flight after the inner gun and shell combined has been discharged trom the outer gun and shell combined.

26 is the explosive charge inthe projectile and ris the screw threads to remove the plug in order to load the projectile with explosives. 28 is the' well known cord time t'nseas heretofore explained which explodes the `projectile at any predetermined time desired-` while in Hight after the rprojectile has been dischalv'ged from the inner gun and shell combined. Any of they tix'ning devices shown in all lot' the figures and any suitable timing device may be used together or in lieu of the well known cord fnze explained. 2213s the evnlosive charge to explode the ,onn

and ignites the ,los

l is the old time well known cord 't'nse and opl 1,447,1ee". g@

and shell combined at any predetermined time desired after the same has` been lired and 23 is the channel with powder tracing leading from the explosive charge 22'to near the end of the gun and shell combined as shown, and 24 is the old time cord fusey recessed in ar Way that one'end of the cord fuse connects with the powder tracing and both the outer gun and shell combined and the inner gun and shell combined are exploded after being fired while in flight as heretofore explained at any predetermined time desired by the cord fuse 24 being operated in the same way as explained in explaining numeral 19. 29 is the screw threads where the point of the gun and shell combined is removed and it is seen that t-he gun and shell combined may be made with a removable point or the point may not be removable as shown in Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is the same as Figs. l and 2 as shown by the numerals and the numerals shown in both are explained in the same way, the very slight difference beingex plained hereinafter as follows: 3l is the cartridge casing in which the breech of the gun and shell combined is encased shown and 32 is the explosive charge in the` cartridge casing. 33 is the rim around the end of the cartridge casing and Slis the well known cap in the cartridge casing. 36 is the projectile in the gun and shell combined in position to be fired from the gun and shell combined at any predetermined time desired while in flight, after the gun and shell combined have been discharged from any gun, rifle, cannon, gun and torpedo combined, rearms or device capable of firing same as heretofore explained in Figs. l and 2, and is attenuated nose or point made any suitable length to pierce the water at any angle the gun and shell combined is fired in a way that the water may get control of the attenuated nose or point before the large part of the point ot the gun and shell combined strikes the water, in order to prevent the gun and shell' combined from rebounding when it strikes the water as well as to Scatter the water or air as the case may be to all sides and allow the large part of the gun and shell combined to go forward with less air or water pressure resistance. It.

is obvious that the attenuated nose or point may be made any suitable thickness and length desired to do the work the best and that the gun and Shell combined may be made with or without the attenuated nose or point 35 as shown by Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 the same as Figs. 1, 2 and '3, as shown by the numerals with the exception ofthe very slight difference hereinafter explained. 38 is the plug of any suitable soft metal which may be easily broken upon shockrecessed in the muzzle of the gun and shell combined as shown by screw threads 37. It may be seen that when this type ot a gun and shell combined is fired or discharged from other gun and shell combined, that the end of the muzzle will protect the soft metal recessed in thev muzzle of the gun '.10 and shell combined in a way that the same will not be broken when fired through the point of other gun and shell combined and at the same time thereafter being fired from,

a gun and shell combined any ammunition like buck-shot, bullets, shrapnel or any suitable ammunition desired may be fired through the soft metal 38 or the same kei-fed ""in a way to break easily in a way that such as ammunition for shot guns, shrapnelz or any ammunition may be fired through same. Fig. 5 is a cross sectional View of Fig. 6 .showing the point of the gun and shell combined to have raised ridges 39, in a way to make such parts of the point of the gun and shell combined strong .in order to withstand a shock or lick while the remaining part of the point as shown between the ridges 39 may be made very thin or made of very soft material' or metal as is also denoted 90 by numeral 4l in Fig.

Fig. 7 is the well known timing device as shown by 42, and 43 is the dial or scale to set the timing device by to ignite the powder tracing 45 inthe tube 44. 44 is any suitable 95 tube or casing to hold a powder tracing and may be made any length to reach the explosive charge'desired to be exploded and the tube may be or it may not be perforated as desired.

This timing device may be used together or in lieu of any of the other timing devices shown in Figs. l, 2, 3 and 4.

It is obvious that those skilled in the art may vary the details of the construction asy well as the arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore, I do not'wish. to be limited to the above disclosure, except as. may'be 4required by the claims.

lhat I claim is l. A combined shell and gun including an outer shell having a bore therein, a kerfed point on one end thereof, a second shell and an explosive charge within said bore, a kerfed point on one end of said second named shell.

2. A combined shell and gun including an outer shell having a bore therein, a kerfed point on one end thereof, a second shell and an explosive charge within said bore, a kerfed point on one end of said second named shell, said second named point being of sufficient strength to pierce said first named point.

3. A combined gun and shell including an outer shell having an elongated bore therein, said bore acting as the bore of a gun, the walls of said bore extending beyond the forward end of a projectile when positioned therein7 a breech block in one end of said combined gun and shell, and time Controlled tiring means within said breech block, said tiring means including a spring pressed iring pin, a rotatable shaft for releasing said firing pin` and-clock work means for rotating said shaft.

4. A breech block for a shell comprising a hollow cylindrical externally threaded plug, provided with a time fuse extending therethrough, front and rear apertures in said plug` a closure threaded in each aperture, one ol said closures carrying a firing mechanism operative after a predetermined time to fire a detonator associated therewith.

- A combined gun and shell including an outer shell having an elongated bore therein.

said'bore acting the bore of a. gun, the' walls of said bore extending beyond the Jt'orward end of a projectile when positioned therein. a breech block in one end ot' said combined gun and shell. time controlled tiring means within said breech block. said tiring means including a spring pressed tiring pin. a rotatable shaft tor releasing said firing pin. clock-work means for rotating said shatt. and means to tire a plurality oi combined guns andshells at a predetermined time after the same has been discharged from any gun. firearms, or device capable oi s tiring same.

A gun having its exterior suitabl \v formed so that it ma)vr be discharged from the barrel ot' a gun. said lirst mentioned gun having a barrel` means to load a pluralit)y o't smaller similar guns into said barrel from the breech. means to close the breech oi said barrel. and means to discharge said pluralit v of lsmaller similar guns from said barrel.

''. A gun having a barrel, the exterior ot` said gun suitably formed so that it may be.'

lischarged trom the barrel of a gun. said first mentioned gun having a breech block with a spring pressed tiring pin voperated with a timing device to explode a percussion cap and tire said gun. S. A gun having a frangible point formed on the forward end of its barrel, a second gun having a point capable ot piercing said point ot said first mentioned gun placed within said barrel and a third gun or shell having a point on its forward end adapted to pierce the point of saidy second gun.

9. A gun having'a barrel, said gun adapted to be fired from a gint, the forward end ot' said barrel ot saidilii-fst i-uentioned gun being closed, a series 'oiifglins comentricallv within the barrel ot said first mentioned gun and each gun adapted to be tired troni each gun enclosing it during the ilight and each point capable ol piercing the point of the preceding gun.`

10. A plurality ot guns each having a barrel, the tor 'ard end ot' each barrel beiiw closed, each end being closed having said closure kert'ed or grooved, a gun placed witheach barrel in wa;V to be discharged Ytrom the barrel of each gun through the closed forward end 'of each gun discharging same.

l1. A breech block for a gun having a cavit)v within provided with a timing device, front and rear apertures in said breech block. a closure threaded in each aperture, said timing device comprising a spring pressed tiring pin, a rotating shaft carrying means to engage and disengage means on the tiring pin when said shaft is rotated and clock work to rotate said rotating shaft when the spring ot the clockwork is wound` operative. after a predetermined time to ex-,

plode a percussion cap and ignite the explosive within the breech of the barrel of said gun. f

1;). A breech block for a gun'having a cavitv within provided with a time fune, explosive within the breech of the barrel of said gun. front and rear apertures in said breech aoiaaafr Lian' Weiser. 

